Zipper Pull Tips and Tricks

Sewing
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I’m working really hard to master zippers as they are used in bagmaking…Is there a trick to adding pulls to zipper pieces cut from a roll? I tried poking each side in a few times without a tool and maiming a fork as a holder…both work, but neither feels efficient… Is their a magic formula I’m missing to getting both sides easily lined up and the pull on perfectly? (I confess that earlier, before I thought to ask here, I did order a little pink table top pronged thing thing that should definitely be a lot more efficient than what I’ve done so far…) I just feel like there is a proper process here I’m missing.

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I use a fork when I add zipper pulls to zipper tape - no maiming required - and find that the best way is to have the fork somehow supported by a third party (a helper or a brace) so I can use both hands to feed the zipper evenly on both sides. I tried 3D printing a zipper jig that would attach to my table and serve the same purpose but our 3D printer hiccuped and the first attempt is useless, so I’ll have to try again. Your pink tool is probably similar and should be easier than a fork.

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Mostly it’s just practice. There are at least a dozen videos on YouTube of various tricks to it. My personal favorite is to cut a couple of teeth off one side.

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I may not be the best person to give advice on this, but I make a lot of bags. I cut about a quarter inch off of one side of the zipper so that I have room to get the first side fed in before I try to feed the second side, then I even it up. This seems to have saved me the most frustration.

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This is exactly what I was looking for. I just knew there was a simple little technique that would just work. Can’t wait to try it on the four mini bags I’m making this week for my granddaughter to give her friends as a birthday gathering favor. THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!

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Thanks so much!!! I think this is exactly what I was looking for…just an easy little technique that works!

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I just learned how to do this, too! Here’s a video from Sallie Tomato that helped me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_Wd6Bq4Vf0

Also I bought a zipper jig from Wawak that REALLY makes it easy. Here’s a video from Ellie and Mac Patterns: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/hmijHPtFUOo

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This is my preferred way too, about 3-4 teeth off the side you feed in last